Erika Ailunno  
 
The Ballad Of Sexual Freedom , 2024/2025 

The Ballad of Sexual Freedom is a documentary photography series that centres on Masha, my friend and part-time stripper, challenging society’s deeply ingrained stigmas around sex work. Through her story, this project dives into the nuanced realities of stripping, exposing the layers of empowerment, autonomy, and agency that women in this profession often embody despite widespread judgment and misunderstanding. 

Far from being a tale of degradation, these images celebrate Masha’s strength, independence, and defiance. They highlight how she reclaims her body, her choices, and her narrative in a society that constantly seeks to strip women of their agency. This series confronts the uncomfortable truths about how society polices women’s bodies and challenges the viewer to see stripping not as shameful, but as a profession where power and liberation can coexist. 

At its core, this project is unapologetically feminist. It seeks to shatter stereotypes surrounding sex work and ignite a much-needed dialogue about women’s autonomy, sexuality, and their fundamental right to define their own lives without interference or shame.  

The Ballad of Sexual Freedom pays homage to Nan Goldin’s revolutionary series, The Ballad of Sexual Dependency, which inspired me to look deeper into the intersection of intimacy, identity, and freedom.